According to Polymarket, Neymar has a 37% chance of playing in the 2026 World Cup.
Brazilian forward Neymar faces uncertainty regarding his participation in the 2026 World Cup. The online betting platform Polymarket has set the probability of him making the final Brazilian squad at 37%. The squad announcement is scheduled for May 18th.
The rating reflects doubts about the athlete's physical condition and off-field issues. The player recently underwent a knee procedure and was involved in controversy after a statement considered sexist.
Physical recovery after knee procedure.
During the last FIFA international break, Neymar underwent a procedure on his knee using Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP). The athlete is doing specific work to regain strength, speed, and endurance.
Coach Cuca explained the process: “During this break, he underwent a procedure on his knee, so he didn't train and spent four or five days recovering. Now he's doing strength, speed, and endurance work to get back in shape and play games until the middle of the year.”
Santos' plan is to have the striker available for as many consecutive matches as possible leading up to the World Cup. The player will have approximately 11 games before being called up to demonstrate to the coaching staff that he is fit to compete in the World Cup.
Absence from international match
The striker did not participate in the match against Deportivo Cuenca in Ecuador, at an altitude of 2.500 meters, last Wednesday (April 9). The player is still undergoing physical recovery.
Neymar has not played in an international competition for Santos since his return to the club. The player's last participation in an international tournament for the São Paulo team was 14 years ago, in the 2012 Copa Libertadores. The team was eliminated by Corinthians in the semi-finals.
His absence from the Copa Sudamericana opener prevents the player from immediately regaining his international prominence with Santos. The striker may still travel for matches abroad in the coming rounds. These matches include games in Argentina and Paraguay, depending on his physical progress.
Controversy after game against Remo
The player's situation took a new turn after he became embroiled in controversy following a statement he made in an interview after a match against Remo in the Brazilian Championship. The athlete criticized the refereeing using a popular expression associated with menstruation. His statement generated criticism and negative repercussions.
Later, Neymar posted a video on his YouTube channel addressing the episode alongside friends. Among them was Bianca Coimbra, whom he introduced as someone with whom he often discusses social issues.
"It's because historically women are misrepresented when they are menstruating. When you associate that with making wrong decisions, you invalidate women's decisions during that time," Bianca explained in the video.
The incident occurs during the ongoing debate on a bill that criminalizes misogyny. The proposal was approved by the Senate in March. The text equates the crime to racism, with prison sentences.
